Pallet

ABSTRACT

A pallet made of a plastic or organic polymeric material and of a unitary surface having a deck providing a load supporting surface. A plurality of spaced hollow legs project from the opposite surface of the deck. A plurality of hollow ribs project from the same opposite surface to define channels in the load supporting surface. The legs have drain holes in the bottom thereof. Each channel extends between a pair of legs and has a bottom which slopes downwardly to each of the pair of legs from a high point intermediate each pair of legs. Pairs of banding ramps are disposed on opposite extremities of the periphery of the pallet and project from the opposite surface of the deck. Each ramp presents a sloping surface extending upwardly from an adjacent rib toward the adjacent extremity of the deck. Metal channel-shaped reinforcing members are disposed in at least some of the channels in the load supporting surface. A reinforcing platform extends across and is attached to the extremities of the legs in a plurality of rows of legs. The platform includes a runner extending along and attached to the extremities of the legs in each row and a plate interconnecting adjacent runners.

United States Patent [151 Cook, III Oct. 24, 1972 [54] PALLET 3,526,1959/1970 Maryonovich ..108/53 [72] Inventor. LiiHlSeSMrl; Cook, III,Bloomfield Primary Examiner Bobby R- y Assistant Examiner-Glenn O. Finch[73] Assignee: Oakland Plastics Corporation, Troy, Attorney-McGlynn,Reising & Ethington Mich. 22 Filed: July 23,1970 [57] ABSTRACT A palletmade of a plastic or organic polymeric [21] Appl' 57693 material and ofa unitary surface having a deck 7 providing a load supporting surface. Aplurality of [52] US. Cl ..108/58, 108/51 spaced hollow legs projectfrom the opposite surface [51] Int. Cl. ..B65 d 19/38 f the deck. Aplurality of hollow ribs project from the [58] Field of Search ..108/51,58; 280/21 m pp i e surface to define ch nn l in the load supportingsurface. The legs have drain holes in the [5 Ref n e Cit d bottomthereof. Each channel extends between a pair of legs and has a bottomwhich slopes downwardly to UNITED STATES PATENTS each of the pair oflegs from a high point intermediate 2 828 097 3/l958 Faunce ..248/160each legs- Pairs banding Tamps are dislmed 3 167 341 1/1965 Higgins..108/58 x extremities 0f Penphery Of the Pallet 3 172 374 3/l965 Allen..108/51 and Pmlec mm the Surface of deck- 3l8769l {M965 Leitzel 108/58Each ramp presents a sloping surface extending up- 3330228 7,1967 l"108/51 wardly from an adjacent rib toward the adjacent exl 0 H1969 Toot"108/53 tremity of the deck. Metal channel-shaped reinforcing 348l28512/1969 "108/58 members are disposed in at least some of the channels 15/1970 Ba "108/58 1n the load supporting surface. A reinforcing platform1971 N "108/51 extends across and is attached to the extremities of the3,581,681 6/ ewton legs in a plurality of rows of legs The platform3,140,672 7/1964 De I ,uca ..108/53 cludes a runner extending along andattached to the 3,233,564 2/1966 Sullivan ..108/53 extremities of thelegs in each row and a plate intep $1 532? 1332;351.1302???11:""331111111i321i adjacent 3,172,374 3/1965 2-A1len..l08/5l 23 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEDBBT24 m2 3.699 .901

1 NVENTOR.

-. u ATTORNEYS PALLET This invention relates to a pallet made of aplastics or organic polymeric material. Such pallets are handled by forklift vehicles and are usually rectangular in configuration and have anupper load supporting surface upon which articles are disposed forhandling, storage and transport.

An object and feature of this invention is to provide such a pallethaving a deck providing a load supporting surface and a plurality ofspaced hollow legs projecting from the opposite surface of the deckalong with a plurality of hollow ribs which define channels in the loadsupporting surface and which channels extend between the legs and slopedownwardly from the middle thereof to the legs with the legs havingdrain holes in the bottom thereof.

Another object and feature of this invention is to provide such a pallethaving a plurality of legs and ribs spaced inwardly from and disposedabout the periphery thereof with at least one pair of banding rampsdisposed on opposite extremities of the periphery and providing slopingsurfaces extending upwardly from an adjacent rib toward the adjacentextremity of the pallet.

Still another object and feature of this invention is to provide such apallet having a deck with legs and ribs projecting from a surface of thedeck and a reinforcing member associated with at least one of the ribsand having a strength greater than the strength of the plastics ororganic polymeric material at the deck.

Yet a further object and feature of this invention is to provide such apallet having a deck portion with rows of legs extending from a surfaceof the deck with a runner member extending along and attached to theextremities of the legs in each row with each runner member having abase and side flanges extending therefrom and engaging the sides of thelegs.

A still further object and feature of this invention is to provide sucha pallet having a deck and a plurality of legs projecting from a surfaceof the deck and aligned in rows and a reinforcing platform extendingacross and attached to the extremities of the legs in a plurality ofrows.

Other objects and attendant advantages of the present invention will bereadily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by referenceto the following detailed description when considered in connection withthe accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the instantinvention;

FIG. 2 is a view taken substantially along line 2-2 of FIGURE 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken substantially alongline 3-3 of FIGURE 1;

The pallet 10 includes a unitary deck structure generally indicated at12. The deck structure 12 is made of a plastics or organic polymericmaterial. Examples of such materials are polyethylene, polyprophyleneand various acetal resins. The deck 12 provides a load supportingsurface 14. A plurality of spaced, hollow legs 16 project from theopposite or undersurface 18 of the deck 12. Also included are aplurality of hollow ribs 20, 22, 24 and 26 projecting from the oppositesurface 18 to define channels disposed in the load supporting surface14.

The pallet is generally rectangular and the legs 16 are disposed in aplurality of parallel rows. The legs 16 are tapered downwardlyto theirrespective bottoms 28. Each of the legs 16 has a drain hole 30 in thebottom thereof. v

Each of the channels, as defined by the ribs 20, 22, 24 and 26, extendsbetween a pair of the legs 16. Also, each channel is generally U-shapedand has a bottom which slopes downwardly to the pair of legs at the endthereof from a high point disposed intermediate the legs. The highpoints for the channels defined by the ribs 20 are indicated at 32. Thehigh points for the channels defined by the ribs 22 and 26 are indicatedat 34.

A side wall or flange 36 extends upwardly from the load supportingsurface 14 about the periphery of the deck 12.

It will be noted that the channels as defined by the ribs 20 are spacedinwardly from and disposed about the periphery of the deck 12 and theremaining channels as defined by the ribs 22, 24 and 26 extend betweenlegs of different rows or to the centrally disposed leg.

There are included two pairs of banding ramps 38 disposed on oppositeextremities of the periphery of the deck and projecting from theopposite or undersurface 18 of the deck 12. Each ramp 38 is disposed topresent a sloping surface extending upwardly from an adjacent rib orchannel 20 to the adjacent extremity of the deck 12. Metal bands may bedisposed beneath the pallet and about articles stored on the pallet toretain the articles to the pallet with the bands extending over theupwardly inclined surfaces of the ramps 38. The disposition or slopingof the ramps 38 mitigates high linear stress loads in the band due tothe band engaging sharp edges formed by surfaces joining one another atan angle of or less.

The ramps 38 are hollow to define ramp channels in the load supportingsurface 14. The channels formed by the ramps 38 extend down from theextremity of the deck 12 to the adjacent rib or channel 20.

A reinforcing member 40 is disposed in the channels defined by the ribs26. Each reinforcing member 40 is U-shaped in cross section and is of amaterial having strength greater than the organic polymeric material ofthe deck 12. Preferably, the reinforcing members 40 are made of metalsuch as steel. The reinforcing members 40 are secured to the ribsadhesively although it will be appreciated that they may be secured byappropriate fasteners or other means. The legs of each U- shapedreinforcing member engage the opposite walls of the channels defined bythe ribs 26 and the bottoms of the reinforcing members engage thebottoms of the channels. Although only the channels defined by the 3ribs 26 are shown as including reinforcing members 40, it will beappreciated that such reinforcing members 40 may be utilized with any ofthe other ribs 20, 22 or 24.

Also included are the runners 42. Each runner has a base and sideflanges 44 which extend upwardly from the base. The side flanges 44engage and are coextensive with the side of the legs '16 so that eachleg is nested within a runner. Each runner extends along and is attachedto the extremities of the legs in each row. The runners 44 are attachedto the legs by an adhesive but may also be attached by appropriatefasteners or other means as will be discribed hereinafter. Each runneralso includes an end flange 46 at each end thereof which is integralwith the side flanges 44 and which also engages an adjacent leg 16. Therunners 42 may be utilized alone or may form a load supporting surface;a plurality of'spaced, hollow platform with the plates 48. Each plate 48extends 7 between and interconnects the runners 42. The plates 48 extendbetween adjacent runners 42 at the upper extremities of the side flanges44 thereof. Furthermore, the plates 48 may be made integrally with therunners 42. The plates 48'and the runners 44 define a reinforcingplatform extending across and attached to the extremitiesof the legs 16in a plurality of rows. The runners 42 have drain holes 50 therein whichare aligned with the drain holes in the legs 16. Thus, water in thechannels defined by the various ribs will flow into the bottoms of thelegs and will drain through the drain holes 50 therein.

The combination of the runners 42 and the plates 48, which may beintegral, define support means for supporting the legs 16 upon a surfaceand as alluded to above, other means may be utilized to attach thissupport means to the legs. Such an alternative-is shown at the middleleg 16 in FIG. 2. A snap-in means is generally shown at 52 for removablyconnecting a runner 42 of the support means to the legs. The snap-inmeans52 includes a male portion extending from the runner. The maleportion is radially compressible and has a head inserted through andretained in a hole in the bottom of a leg 16. The hole defines areceiving portion and may or may not be a drain hole 30. in other words,each leg may have a drain hole and a second hole for receiving the maleportion of the snap-in means. The male portion is therefore snapped intomechanical interlocking engagement with a hole in a leg.

As it will be appreciated from the foregoing description, the instantinvention relates to a pallet employing various features which may beemployed singularly or in various combinations with one another. Forexample, the sloping channels, reinforcing members, banding ramps,runners, and reinforcing platform may each be utilized separately as invarious combinations with one another.

The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is tobe understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to bein the nature of words of description rather than of limitation.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the 7 the scope of theappended claims, the invention may be 7 practiced otherwise than asspecifically described.

legs projecting from the opposite surface of said deck; a plurality ofhollow ribs projecting from said opposite surface to define channels insaid load supporting surface; said legs having drain holes in thebottoms thereof; each of said channels extends between a pair of saidlegs and has a bottom which slopes downwardly to each of said pair oflegs from a high point disposed intermediate said pair of legs. I

2. A pallet as set forth in claim 1 including a side wall extending fromsaid load supporting surface about the periphery of said deck.

3. A pallet as set forth in claim 1 wherein said legs are aligned inrows, some of said channels are spaced inwardly from and disposed aboutthe periphery of said deck and some of said channels extend between legsof different rows.

4. A pallet as set forth in claim 3 including at least one pair ofhanding ramps disposed on opposite extremities of said periphery andprojecting from said opposite surface of said deck, each of saidrampsbeing disposed to present a sloping surface extending in a directionfrom an adjacent rib toward the adjacent extremity 'of said deck,reinforcing members disposed in at least some of said channels, and arunner extending along and attached to the extremities of the legs ineach row, each runner having a base and side flanges extending therefromand engaging the sides of said legs so that each leg is nested within arunner.

5. A pallet made of organic polymeric material comprising: a unitarystrucmre having a deck providing a load supporting surface; a pluralityof spaced legs projecting from the opposite surface of said deck; aplurality of ribs projecting from said opposite surface; said ribs beingspaced inwardly from and disposed about the periphery of said deck andwith each such rib extending between a pair of said legs; and at leastone pair of banding ramps disposed on opposite extremities of saidperiphery and projecting from said opposite surface of said deck; eachof said ramps being disposed to present a sloping surface extending in adirection from an adjacent rib toward the adjacent extremity of saiddeck.

6. A pallet as set forth in claim 5 wherein said-ribs are hollow todefine channels in said load supporting surface, said ramps are hollowto define ramp channels in said load supporting surface which extenddownwardly from said extremity to said adjacent rib.

7. A pallet as set forth in claim 6 including reinforcing membersdisposed in at least some of said channels defined by said ribs.

8. A pallet as set forth in claim 7 wherein said reinforcing members areof metal and are U-shaped in cross section. I I

9. A pallet comprising: a deck structure made of organic polymericmaterial and having a load supporting surface; a plurality of spacedlegs projecting from the.

opposite surface of said deck, said legs being aligned in rows; a runnerextending along and attached to the extremities of the legs in each row;each runner having a base and side flanges extending therefrom andengaging the sides of said legs so that each leg is nested within arunner.

10. A pallet as set forth in claim 9 wherein each runner includes an endflange at each end thereof which is integral with said side flanges andengages the adjacent leg.

11. A pallet as set forth in claim 9 including plates extending betweenand interconnecting adjacent runners.

12. A pallet as set forth in claim 11 wherein said plates extend betweenadjacent runners at the upper extremities of said side flanges.

13. A pallet as set forth in claim 12 wherein each runner includes anend flange at each end thereof which is integral with said side flangesand engages the adjacent leg.

14. A pallet as set forth in claim 13 wherein said runners areadhesively attached to said extremities of said legs.

15. A pallet comprising: a unitary deck structure made of organicpolymeric material and having a deck providing a load supportingsurface; a plurality of spaced legs projecting from the opposite surfaceof said deck; said legs being aligned in rows; a reinforcing platformextending across and attached to the extremities of the legs in aplurality of rows.

16. A pallet as set forth in claim 15 wherein said platform includes arunner extending along and attached to the extremities of the legs ineach row and a plate interconnecting adjacent runners.

17. A pallet as set forth in claim 16 wherein each runner has a base andside flanges extending therefrom and engaging the sides of said legs sothat each leg is nested within a runner.

18. A pallet as set forth in claim 17 wherein said plates extend betweenadjacent runners at the upper extremities of said side flanges.

19. A pallet as set forth in claim 18 wherein each runner includes an.end flange at each end thereof which is integral with said side flangesand engages the adjacent leg.

20. A pallet as set forth in claim 15 including snap-in means removablyconnecting said platform to said legs.

21. A pallet comprising: a unitary deck structure made of organicpolymeric material and having a deck providing a load supportingsurface; a plurality of spaced legs projecting from the opposite surfaceof said deck; support means for supporting said legs;-snap-in means forremovably connecting said support means to said legs.

22. A pallet as set forth in claim 21 wherein said snap-in meanscomprises a male portion and a receiving portion into which said maleportion is snapped into mechanical interlocking engagement.

23. A pallet as set forth in claim 22 wherein said receiving portion isdefined by a hole in the bottom of at least some of said legs and saidmale portion extends from said support means.

1. A pallet made of organic polymeric material comprising: a unitarystructure having a deck providing a load supporting suRface; a pluralityof spaced, hollow legs projecting from the opposite surface of saiddeck; a plurality of hollow ribs projecting from said opposite surfaceto define channels in said load supporting surface; said legs havingdrain holes in the bottoms thereof; each of said channels extendsbetween a pair of said legs and has a bottom which slopes downwardly toeach of said pair of legs from a high point disposed intermediate saidpair of legs.
 2. A pallet as set forth in claim 1 including a side wallextending from said load supporting surface about the periphery of saiddeck.
 3. A pallet as set forth in claim 1 wherein said legs are alignedin rows, some of said channels are spaced inwardly from and disposedabout the periphery of said deck and some of said channels extendbetween legs of different rows.
 4. A pallet as set forth in claim 3including at least one pair of banding ramps disposed on oppositeextremities of said periphery and projecting from said opposite surfaceof said deck, each of said ramps being disposed to present a slopingsurface extending in a direction from an adjacent rib toward theadjacent extremity of said deck, reinforcing members disposed in atleast some of said channels, and a runner extending along and attachedto the extremities of the legs in each row, each runner having a baseand side flanges extending therefrom and engaging the sides of said legsso that each leg is nested within a runner.
 5. A pallet made of organicpolymeric material comprising: a unitary structure having a deckproviding a load supporting surface; a plurality of spaced legsprojecting from the opposite surface of said deck; a plurality of ribsprojecting from said opposite surface; said ribs being spaced inwardlyfrom and disposed about the periphery of said deck and with each suchrib extending between a pair of said legs; and at least one pair ofbanding ramps disposed on opposite extremities of said periphery andprojecting from said opposite surface of said deck; each of said rampsbeing disposed to present a sloping surface extending in a directionfrom an adjacent rib toward the adjacent extremity of said deck.
 6. Apallet as set forth in claim 5 wherein said ribs are hollow to definechannels in said load supporting surface, said ramps are hollow todefine ramp channels in said load supporting surface which extenddownwardly from said extremity to said adjacent rib.
 7. A pallet as setforth in claim 6 including reinforcing members disposed in at least someof said channels defined by said ribs.
 8. A pallet as set forth in claim7 wherein said reinforcing members are of metal and are U-shaped incross section.
 9. A pallet comprising: a deck structure made of organicpolymeric material and having a load supporting surface; a plurality ofspaced legs projecting from the opposite surface of said deck; said legsbeing aligned in rows; a runner extending along and attached to theextremities of the legs in each row; each runner having a base and sideflanges extending therefrom and engaging the sides of said legs so thateach leg is nested within a runner.
 10. A pallet as set forth in claim 9wherein each runner includes an end flange at each end thereof which isintegral with said side flanges and engages the adjacent leg.
 11. Apallet as set forth in claim 9 including plates extending between andinterconnecting adjacent runners.
 12. A pallet as set forth in claim 11wherein said plates extend between adjacent runners at the upperextremities of said side flanges.
 13. A pallet as set forth in claim 12wherein each runner includes an end flange at each end thereof which isintegral with said side flanges and engages the adjacent leg.
 14. Apallet as set forth in claim 13 wherein said runners are adhesivelyattached to said extremities of said legs.
 15. A pallet comprising: aunitary deck structure made of organic polymeric material and having adeck providing a load supporting surface; a plurality of spaced legsprojectinG from the opposite surface of said deck; said legs beingaligned in rows; a reinforcing platform extending across and attached tothe extremities of the legs in a plurality of rows.
 16. A pallet as setforth in claim 15 wherein said platform includes a runner extendingalong and attached to the extremities of the legs in each row and aplate interconnecting adjacent runners.
 17. A pallet as set forth inclaim 16 wherein each runner has a base and side flanges extendingtherefrom and engaging the sides of said legs so that each leg is nestedwithin a runner.
 18. A pallet as set forth in claim 17 wherein saidplates extend between adjacent runners at the upper extremities of saidside flanges.
 19. A pallet as set forth in claim 18 wherein each runnerincludes an end flange at each end thereof which is integral with saidside flanges and engages the adjacent leg.
 20. A pallet as set forth inclaim 15 including snap-in means removably connecting said platform tosaid legs.
 21. A pallet comprising: a unitary deck structure made oforganic polymeric material and having a deck providing a load supportingsurface; a plurality of spaced legs projecting from the opposite surfaceof said deck; support means for supporting said legs; snap-in means forremovably connecting said support means to said legs.
 22. A pallet asset forth in claim 21 wherein said snap-in means comprises a maleportion and a receiving portion into which said male portion is snappedinto mechanical interlocking engagement.
 23. A pallet as set forth inclaim 22 wherein said receiving portion is defined by a hole in thebottom of at least some of said legs and said male portion extends fromsaid support means.